Eragrostis pycnantha

HABIT Perennial; caespitose. Culms 15–25 cm long. Culm-internodes distally pilose. Leaf-sheaths pilose. Ligule a fringe of hairs; 1 mm long. Leaf-blades convolute; 1.5–5 cm long; 1 mm wide; stiff. Leaf-blade surface hirsute.

INFLORESCENCE Inflorescence a panicle.

Panicle spiciform; linear; interrupted; 6–10 cm long; 0.5–1 cm wide. Panicle axis pubescent. Panicle branches pilose.

Spikelets solitary. Fertile spikelets pedicelled.

FERTILE SPIKELETS Spikelets comprising 3–6 fertile florets; with diminished florets at the apex. Spikelets elliptic; laterally compressed; 3.5–6.5 mm long; breaking up at maturity; disarticulating below each fertile floret.

GLUMES Glumes similar; shorter than spikelet. Lower glume ovate; 1.2–1.6 mm long; 0.9 length of upper glume; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Lower glume primary vein scabrous. Lower glume margins ciliolate. Lower glume apex acute. Upper glume ovate; 1.4–2.1 mm long; 0.9 length of adjacent fertile lemma; membranous; 1-keeled; 1 -veined. Upper glume primary vein scabrous. Upper glume lateral veins absent. Upper glume margins ciliolate. Upper glume apex acute.

FLORETS Fertile lemma ovate; 1.8–2.5 mm long; membranous; keeled; 3 -veined. Lemma surface scabrous. Lemma margins ciliate; hairy below. Lemma apex obtuse. Palea keels scabrous; ciliate; adorned below; with hairs 0.3–0.4 mm long. Palea surface scabrous. Apical sterile florets resembling fertile though underdeveloped.

FLOWER Lodicules 2; cuneate; fleshy. Anthers 3; 0.3–0.4 mm long.

FRUIT Caryopsis with adherent pericarp; ellipsoid; 0.8–0.9 mm long; dark brown; reticulate. Embryo 0.33–0.5 length of caryopsis.

DISTRIBUTION South America: southern South America.

NOTES Eragrostideae. Nicora 2001.

Please cite this publication as detailed in How to Cite Version: 3rd February 2016.